Head positioning system with photosensor

ABSTRACT

A head positioning system achieves higher track alignment accuracy for audio, video, or data recording or playback. In a digital tape drive embodiment, the positioning system includes a servo read head for receiving conventional servo code from the tape, a voice coil motor that moves the head in relation to the tape, a light source mounted to move with the head, a lateral effect photodiode that is illuminated by the light source to monitor misalignment of the head and tape, and a control circuit. The positioning system locates the head in alignment with the tape when conventional positioning in response to the servo code is not possible, such as when the tape is not moving. Movement of the light source modulates two currents provided by the photodiode. The control circuit drives the source according to the normalized sum of the currents and drives the motor according to the difference of the currents. Alignment on smaller width tracks, improved track access time, improved reversal at end of tape, increased track density, and increasing storage capacity result. Alternate embodiments of the positioning system include disk media instead of tape, and include heads responsive to optically recorded signals such as used with a compact disk.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to positioning systems andto techniques for obtaining head to media alignment in devices foraudio, video, and data playback and recording.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As an introduction to problems solved by the present invention, considerthe conventional digital tape drive having numerous tracks for thestorage and retrieval of data. As the tape passes a tape head, a servocode signal, detected by the head, governs alignment of the head in thecenter of a particular track. The alignment of the tape and head variesas a consequence of mechanical properties and tolerances of the tapetransport and of internal and external mechanical shook and vibration.Voice coil motors support conventional tape heads for maintainingalignment of the head and media in response to the servo code signal.Other conventional devices for audio, video, and data playback andrecording also use servo code controlled voice coil motors for alignmentof a magnetic or optical head to media formed as tape or disk.

A positioning system based merely on servo code detected from the mediais insufficient to meet market demand for convenient, quick, andreliable devices for audio, video, and data playback and recording.Convenience requires ever increasing storage capacity per unit of media.Conventional designs provide increased capacity by increasing trackdensity and consequently decreasing track width, thereby making theprocess of maintaining alignment more difficult and more expensive. Asystem that maintains alignment by servo code responds slowly andunreliably when the servo code is corrupted or unavailable. Servo codeis primarily corrupted by media and head contamination and defects inthe med a. Furthermore, servo code is unavailable when the media is notmoving because without movement, there is no detected signal.

Conventional systems incur delay to obtain alignment. Before apositioning system that uses servo code can maintain alignment, at leastcoarse alignment must be obtained. When a stepper motor and lead screware used in a conventional head positioning system, the stepper motorintrinsically provides information related to current position of thehead. However, this information lacks continuous resolution. Additionaldelays are incurred as a consequence of the masses of moving parts. Inaddition, reliability suffers from wear.

Devices that playback and record audio, video, and data are commonlyincorporated into more sophisticated systems having demanding accesstime and media capacity requirements. Delays degrade the performance ofsuch sophisticated systems and in some cases reduce the usable capacityof the media employed therein.

Conventional positioning techniques limit media capacity. A considerablelength of tape passes across the head in a conventional tape drive asthe drive attempts to obtain alignment initially, upon tape reversal,around small defects in the media, and between blocks. Similarly, diskmedia is fragmented by portions used for obtaining alignment. In eachcase, media otherwise useful for signal storage is consumed for purposesof obtaining or maintaining alignment.

In view of the problems described above and related problems thatconsequently become apparent to those skilled in the applicable arts,the need remains in positioning systems for techniques for obtaininghead to media alignment in devices for audio, video, and data playbackand recording.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a positioning system in a first embodiment of the presentinvention includes a head, a motor, a lateral effect photosensor, anilluminating means, and a control circuit. The head detects a recordedsignal when aligned with provided media. The motor is in mechanicalcommunication with the head for obtaining alignment in response to amotor drive signal. The lateral effect photosensor is in mechanicalcommunication with the motor for monitoring a distance measured betweenthe head and the media. The photosensor provides a position signalaccording to the distance. The illuminating means is in mechanicalcommunication with the motor. The illuminating means illuminates thephotosensor, enabling provision of the position signal. The controlcircuit provides the motor drive signal in response to the positionsignal so that the aligned position is obtained.

A positioning assembly in another embodiment, for positioning a providedhead in operative alignment with provided media for detecting a signalfrom the media, includes a motor having a stator and an armature. Thestator includes a lateral effect photosensor. The armature provides formechanical communication with the head and includes means forilluminating the photosensor. The photosensor provides a signal inresponse to the illumination for determining a position of the armature.

According to a first aspect of these embodiments, a signal fordetermining position is independent of movement of the media. Alignmentof the head and media is obtained without delays associated withsufficient movement of the media in a prescribed direction.

According to another aspect, the signal provides absolute positioninformation having high and continuous resolution. Movement of the headto obtain or maintain alignment is controllable using analog circuittechnique as opposed to a more complex digital stepper motor controltechnique. With improved position information and analog circuittechnique, lower cost and higher reliability products are practical.

According to yet another aspect, high resolution positioning incooperation with other aspects facilitates decreased track width,increased track density, rapid track access, and increased mediacapacity.

According to still another aspect, the means for illuminating has littlemass, facilitating rapid head movement, decreased access time, and rapidinitial alignment or realignment after interruption of servo codesignals when used in cooperation with positioning systems that use servocode.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of thepresent invention will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following description of the invention and referenceddrawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, andfeatures of the invention are realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a tape drive in one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the tape drive shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The partial perspective view of a cartridge tape drive, shown in FIG. 1,illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. Tape drive 10primarily includes base 12, circuit assembly 18, positioning assembly30, and removable tape cartridge 20.

Conventional cartridge 20 pivotally supports reel 22 from which aquantity of conventional magnetic recording tape 24 is supplied. Axis 26describes the center of tape 24 along the width of tape 24. A coarsealignment of cartridge 20 and drive 10 is accomplished by bracket 19.Alternate conventional alignment mechanisms include guide pins, tongueand groove features, and keying surfaces. Tape 24 is moved rapidly alongaxis 26 across head 38 by a conventional tape transport mechanism, notshown.

The conventional prerecorded magnetic tape has numerous tracks runningparallel to axis 26. When track width is narrow, alignment of axis 26with head 38 is critical to faithful reproduction of the prerecordedsignal. Alignment of cartridge 20 against bracket 19 is insufficient byitself for accurate head to media alignment. While it is apparent fromFIG. 1 that tape 24 is in mechanical communication with motor 32 byvirtue of contact between tape 24, reel 22, cartridge 20, bracket 19,and circuit assembly 18 which supports motor 32, manufacturingtolerances that would facilitate rapid movement of the tape are widerthan tolerable for faithful reproduction.

Brackets 14 and 16 support circuit assembly 18 from base 12. Circuitassembly 18 provides mechanical mounting for positioning assembly 30 andelectrical circuitry for obtaining and maintaining alignment betweenhead 38 and tape 24 in cooperation with positioning assembly 30. Aportion of the electrical circuitry is discussed below with reference toFIG. 2.

Positioning assembly 30 includes motor 32 and lateral effect photosensor44. In an alternate embodiment, motor 32 and photosensor 44 are mountedon an intermediate substrate or bracket rather than individually ontocircuit assembly 18. Such a substrate or bracket simplifies procurement,manufacturing, and testing of the alternate positioning assembly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, motor 32 is a linear motor whichincludes stator 34 mounted to circuit assembly 18 and armature 36 onwhich head 38 is mounted. Head 38 includes light source 42 andtransducer 39 of the conventional magnetic type having one or more fluxgaps. One gap 40 is shown for simplicity of presentation. Reference line41 describes a transverse center of gap 40.

When reference line 41 and axis 26 are collinear, an aligned position oftape 24 and head 38 has been obtained. When out of alignment, as shown,a distance 43 measured between reference line 41 and axis 26 describesthe extent of deviation from the aligned position. Linear motion ofarmature 36 operates to reduce distance 43 to obtain and to maintainalignment.

Light source 42 illuminates photosensor 44. Light source 42 in oneembodiment is an infrared light emitting diode, preferred for low mass,narrow radiated spectral bandwidth, and electrical compatibility withsignals from transducer 39. The substantially direct current signal usedto activate such a diode presents little interference to the weak highfrequency signals associated with transducer 39.

Light source 42 is one example of an illuminating means for illuminatingphotosensor 44. In an alternate embodiment, illuminating means includesa light source mounted on circuit assembly 18 and a light deflectormounted on or integral to head 38, transducer 39, or armature 36. Infurther alternate embodiments, mirrors, lenses, and compound reflectivematerials are used individually or in combination for the lightdeflector.

Photosensor 44 is illuminated by light source 42 in a small region orspot 45 corresponding to the current position of armature 36. Theremainder of photosensor 44 is substantially unilluminated by radiationof the same spectral bandwidth. As armature 36 is linearly extended andretracted by motor 32, light source 42 is moved linearly acrossphotosensor 44. Spot 45, without interruption of illumination,consequently illuminates other regions of photosensor 44. At any instantof time, therefore, photosensor 44 is illuminated exclusively in a smallregion such as spot 45, as shown which corresponds to a position ofarmature 36, head 38, transducer 39, gap 40, and finally reference line41.

Photosensor 44 is of the conventional lateral effect diode typemarketed, for example, by UDT Sensors, Inc. Hawthorne, Calif., UnitedStates of America as model SL-15. The UDT Optoelectronic ComponentsCatalog describes such a photosensor in two articles: "Application ofSilicon Photodiodes" (pages 3 through 9) and "Position Sensing Series,Position Sensing PIN Photodiodes" (pages 30 through 36), herebyincorporated by reference. The semiconductor structure, packaging, andelectrical operation of photosensor 44 are described there. Operation ofphotosensor 44, positioning assembly 30, and tape drive 10 in theillustrated embodiment is further described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of circuit 50 forobtaining and maintaining the aligned position between head 38 and tapemedia 24 in tape drive 10 shown in FIG. 1. Components of circuit 50 areof the conventional type indicated by schematic symbol. Conventionalmanufacturing techniques are employed to implement circuit 50, except asdescribed below. Tape drive 10 includes a positioning system thatresponds to two resources: photosersor 44 and servo code read from tape24. Circuit 50 utilizes position information form both resources toobtain and maintain alignment.

Equivalent circuit 54 corresponds to lateral effect photosensor 44 asilluminated at one region such as spot 45. Photosensor 44 providesphotocurrents I_(A) and I_(B) that cooperate as a position signal.Voltage V₁₂ on line 55 provides a back bias on diode D_(A) of about 12volts. When illuminated, current attributed to the total illuminationdivides according to modeled resistances R_(A) and R_(B) to formphotocurrents I_(A) and I_(B). Each current alone conveys some positioninformation, though normalization of the difference of these currentsprovides more accurate position information. Normalization isaccomplished by compensating the difference by the total illumination.In a first embodiment normalization is accomplished with a divisioncircuit, while in another embodiment normalization is accomplished byautomatic gain control of the total illumination.

The position signal is presented at the inputs of a difference circuitthat provides motor drive signal M2 on line 68. The difference circuit,in one embodiment, includes resistors R1 through R6, amplifiers A1through A3 motor control A6, microcontroller 72, and firmware stored inmicrocontroller 72.

Operational amplifiers A1 and A2 cooperate with feedback resistors R1and R2 to form transconductance buffers, converting input photocurrentsI_(A) and I_(B) on lines 56 and 58 to voltages N1 and N2 on lines 60 and62, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, photosensor 44 and buffercircuits including operational amplifiers A1 and A2 are formed onprinted circuit board 52. In alternate embodiments board 52 is replacedby a hybrid substrate, a wafer, or a semiconductor substrate for greaterfabrication and testing economy.

Signals N1 and N2 are coupled to the inputs of amplifier A3 forcomputation of analog difference signal DIFF on line 63 that providesabsolute position information having continuous resolution. Positioninformation is continuous in value as well as continuous in time, sincephotocurrents I_(A) and I^(B) are concurrent, continuous, analogsignals. Resistors R3, R4, R5, and R6, and operational amplifier A3cooperate to provide signal DIFF having a voltage magnitude responsiveto the algebraic difference between the voltage magnitude of signal N1and the voltage magnitude of signal N2.

Microcontroller 72 is a microcontroller of a conventional type whichincludes a microprocessor formed with memory, input, and output circuitsfor equipment control applications. Microcontroller 72 includes ananalog to digital converter (ADC) and a digital to analog converter(DAC), each internally coupled with the microprocessor and memory.Microcontroller 72 also includes firmware of a conventional type storedin the memory for performing methods of equipment control. According tosuch methods, signal DIFF is periodically converted to a digital formathaving a numeric value conveying absolute position information. When theposition information differs from a desired position, the numeric valueis used to compute a new drive value for driving linear motor 32 to anew linear position. Drive values are computed with reference tocalibration data in tabular and algorithmic format. Drive values areconverted by the digital to analog converter portion of microcontroller72 to provide drive signal M0.

Drive values as discussed above may be inadequate to accomplish suddenmovement of head 39 for maintaining proper alignment in spite of suddenmechanical shock. For improved impulse and high frequency response,signal DIFF on line 63 is coupled to motor control A6 in parallel withmicroprocessor 72. Because signal DIFF corresponds to an absoluteposition, a first derivative of signal DIFF provides a signal M1corresponding to velocity. Capacitor C2 cooperates with resistor R12 todifferentiate signal DIFF to provide signal M1. In alternateembodiments, one or more derivatives are coupled to motor control A6 forimproved head positioning. In the illustrated embodiment, the velocitysignal is selectively coupled to motor 32 through motor control circuitA6. The choice of use of signal M0, signal M1, or a combination ofsignals M0 and M1 is directed by signal MX and provides operationalflexibility for improved accuracy in the presence of high frequencyvibration and shock.

Motor control circuit A6 performs three functions. First, signals M0 andM1 are combined by a conventional summing technique. Second, thesummation result is compensated in the conventional manner to accomodatefrequency response characteristics of motor 32. Third, the compensatedsummation result is amplified in a conventional manner to provide drivesignal M2 on line 68 which is applied to motor 32.

As an example of operation of the above described difference circuit,when head 38, shown in FIG. 1, has deviated from a target position as aresult of vibration, motor drive signal M2 is provided to move armature36 and head 38 back to the target position. As another example, when anew target position is selected, such as when head 38 is to be parked orto be moved from a parked position to an operating position, theposition signal is sampled, and signal M2, sufficient to obtain the newtarget position, is driven to motor 32. The mechanical response, forexample underdamped, critically damped, or overdamped, is monitored bysuccessive position samples to obtain and maintain the new targetposition within the time allowed by the system design. Sampling andpositioning firmware routines of a conventional type are used todetermine each new drive signal value.

Position information is also provided by servo code read from tape 24 astape 24 is transported across transducer 39. Transducer 39 providessignals on lines 82 which include low power high frequency components ofthe type conventionally associated with reading magnetic media. Servocode signals on lines 82 are detected and converted to standard logiclevels by conventional circuits represented generally as amplifier A7which provides signal DX. By reading signal DX and assessing itsaccuracy, microcontroller 72 determines a positioning error value andcomputes a new drive signal value. The drive signal value is convertedby the analog to digital converter of microcontroller 72 to providesignal M0.

In a preferred embodiment the new drive signal value is computed withreference to signal DIFF and signal DX using motor drive techniquesdiscussed above. For example, the servo code signal is considered validand accurate when no track skip error is indicated from the positionsignal derived from photosensor 44.

Head 38, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes light source 42, shown aslight emitting diode 74, and transducer 39. Diode 74 is driven by signalDL having primarily low frequency and direct current components.Variation in signal DL, therefore, presents little effect on weakersignals conveyed on lines 82. As signal DL varies, the illuminationintensity provided by diode 74 varies proportionately. The magnitude ofsignal DIFF on line 63 is subject to many unit-to-unit variablesincluding, for example, the variation in the total intensity provided bydiode 74, the conversion efficiency of diode 74, and the sensitivity ofsemiconductor materials used to fabricate photosensor 44. To obtain aposition signal that is independent of such variations, circuit 50includes automatic gain control circuit 70.

Intensity signal DL is provided by automatic gain control circuit 70that primarily includes operational amplifiers A1, A2, A4 and A5.Amplifiers A1 and A2 operate as buffers as discussed above. Amplifier A4and resistors R7 through R10 cooperate as a conventional summingamplifier circuit providing signal SUM on line 64. The voltage magnitudeof signal SUM corresponds to the algebraic sum of the voltage magnitudesof signal N1 and signal N2. The inverting input of amplifier A4 providesa voltage summing node. Although amplifier A5 may appear to be open loopas to DC and frequencies not shunted by feedback capacitor C1, inoperation, amplifier A5 maintains signal SUM at the voltage prescribedby reference voltage signal V_(INT) by operation of a feedback path thatincludes diode 74 and photosensor 44.

Amplifier A5 is a difference amplifier that provides an error signal DLin response to the algebraic difference between signal SUM and referencesignal V_(INT). From the point of view of classical control theory,amplifier A5 is a differential integrator that integrates the differencebetween signals SUM and V_(INT) over time. In either view, amplifier A5primarily governs the illumination intensity of diode 74 by providingsignal DL to diode 74.

Closed loop operation of amplifier A5 may be better understood by ahypothetical example. If signal SUM on line 64 were to have a slightlygreater potential than signal V_(INT), the output of amplifier A5 woulddecrease because signal SUM is coupled to the inverting input ofamplifier A5. The decrease in amplifier A5 output would decrease lightintensity from diode 74. The sum of photocurrents (I_(A) +I_(B))produced by photosensor 44 modeled by circuit 54 would consequentlydecrease and signal SUM, formed by the summing circuit having amplifierA4, would decrease back to agree with signal V_(INT). In this fashion,the loop compensates for unit-to-unit variables.

The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, which may be changed or modified without departing from thescope of the present invention.

For example, in alternate embodiments of circuit 50, diode 74 is drivenfrom a current source such as signal V₁₂ as applied through resistor R14and amplifier A5 and associated components are omitted. In a firstalternate embodiment, signal SUM on line 64 is sampled at an analog todigital converter input of microcontroller 72. In such an embodiment,normalization of signal DIFF to compensate for unit-to-unit variables isaccomplished by microcontroller 72. The position signal is derived bycomputation of the converted value of signal DIFF divided by theconverted value of signal SUM. In a second alternate embodiment, ananalog division circuit provides a quotient output on line 63 for analogto digital convers on by microcontroller 72. Inputs to the analogdivision circuit include signal SUM on line 64 and signal DIFF asprovided by amplifier A3.

Circuit 50 with circuit 70, as shown in FIG. 2, is preferred to the twoalternates discussed above because, in addition to intrinsicallyaccomplishing division for normalization, automatic gain control circuit70 compensates for component aging and contamination. Aging andcontamination degrade the light intensity output of diode 74 and degradethe sensitivity and responsiveness of photosensor 44.

As another example, the illustrated embodiment of automatic gain controlcircuit 70 includes a first stage primarily including amplifier A4 and asecond stage primarily including amplifier A5. In an alternateembodiment preferred for having fewer parts, the functions of amplifiersA4 and A5 are combined in one conventional summing circuit having asingle operational amplifier with an inverting summing node and anoninverting node for accomplishing the differencing function. Toaccomplish the necessary number of inversions for proper closed loopresponse, diode 74 is reversed and its anode is pulled to a positivesupply voltage. The output of the single operational amplifier sinkscurrent to illuminate diode 74 rather than sourcing current.

The output of amplifier A5 in yet another embodiment is biased in aconventional manner to drive diode 74 at a minimum extent so thatautomatic gain control circuit 70 is riot stable when diode 74 is notemitting light.

These and other changes and modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

While for the sake of clarity and ease of description, several specificembodiments of the invention have been described; the scope of theinvention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the form disclosed. Other embodiments of the invention willbe apparent by practice of the invention and in light of the disclosureto one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention applies.

The words and phrases used in the claims are intended to be broadlyconstrued. "Media" includes magnetic tape, flexible and rigid magneticdisk, optical tape or disk, combinations thereof and equivalents.

A "head" refers generally to a sensor or transducer appropriate to sensea signal in cooperation with media, including a magnetic transducerhaving a flux gap, a compound magnetic structure having several fluxgaps, a photosensitive device, combinations thereof and equivalents.

A "motor" includes mechanical apparatus for motion including rotary,linear, reciprocal, and nonlinear motion provided by effects includingmagnetic, electrostatic, thermal effects, combinations thereof andequivalents. In alternate embodiments, a device in mechanicalcommunication with a motor is coupled to the armature to move when thearmature of the motor moves, or is coupled to the stator to remain fixedwith the stator.

A "lateral effect" photosensor includes linear, annular, and nonlinearsemiconductor shapes exhibiting a difference current phenomenon of thetype conventionally associated with linear shapes.

A "signal" refers to mechanical and/or electromagnetic energy conveyinginformation. When elements are coupled, a signal can be conveyed in anymanner feasible in light of the nature of the coupling. For example, ifseveral electrical conductors couple two elements, then the relevantsignal comprises the energy on one, some, or all conductors at a giventime or time period. When a physical property of a signal has aquantitative measure and the property is used by design to control orcommunicate information, then the signal is said to be characterized byhaving a "value." The amplitude may be instantaneous or an average.

What is claimed is:
 1. A positioning system for head-media alignment,the system comprising:a. a head for detecting a recorded signal inresponse to a provided media when the head and the media assume analigned position; b. a motor in mechanical communication with the head,the motor responsive to a motor drive signal for obtaining the alignedposition; c. a lateral effect photosensor in mechanical communicationwith the motor for monitoring a distance between the head and the mediawhen the head and the media deviate from the aligned position, thephotosensor providing a position signal responsive to the distance; d.an illuminator for illuminating the photosensor, the illuminator inmechanical communication with the motor; and e. a control circuit thatprovides the motor drive signal in response to the position signal forobtaining the aligned position.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein:a. theposition signal comprises a first signal and a second signal; and b. thecontrol circuit comprises a difference circuit that provides the motordrive signal in response to a difference between the first signal andthe second signal.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein:a. the positionsignal comprises a first signal and a second signal; and b. the controlcircuit comprises a ratio circuit that provides the motor drive signalin response to a ratio of the first signal and the second signal.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the illuminator comprises a light sourcecoupled to the control circuit, a light intensity of the light sourcebeing responsive to an intensity signal provided by the control circuit.5. The system of claim 4 wherein the control circuit comprises aregulator circuit that provides the intensity signal.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the head comprises a magnetic gap for detecting therecorded signal.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the head comprises aphotosensitive device for detecting the recorded signal.
 8. The systemof claim 1 wherein:a. the motor comprises a stator and an armature thatmoves relative to the stator; and b. the armature comprises the head. 9.The system of claim 8 wherein the armature further comprises theilluminator.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the illuminator comprisesa light source.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the illuminatorcomprises a light deflector.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the motorcomprises a linear motor.
 13. A positioning system for head-mediaalignment, the system comprising:a. a head for detecting a recordedsignal in response to a provided media when the head and the mediaassume an aligned position; b. a motor in mechanical communication withthe head, the motor responsive to a motor drive signal for obtaining thealigned position; c. a lateral effect photosensor in mechanicalcommunication with the motor for monitoring a distance between the headand the media when the head and the media deviate from the alignedposition, the photosensor providing a position signal responsive to thedistance; d. a light source for illuminating the photosensor, the lightsource in mechanical communication with the motor, a light intensity ofthe light source being responsive to an intensity signal; and e. acontrol circuit that:(1) comprises an automatic gain control circuitthat provides the intensity signal; and (2) provides the motor drivesignal in response to the position signal for obtaining the alignedposition.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein:a. the position signalcomprises a first signal and a second signal; b. the control circuitcomprises a difference circuit that provides the motor drive signal inresponse to a difference between the first signal and the second signal;and c. the automatic gain control circuit comprises a summing circuitfor providing the intensity signal in response to the first signal andto the second signal.
 15. A positioning assembly for positioning aprovided head in operative alignment with provided media for detecting asignal from the media, the assembly comprising:a. a lateral effectphotosensor; and b. a motor comprising:(1) a stator in mechanicalcommunication with the photosensor; and (2) an armature for moving thehead, the armature comprising an illuminator for illuminating thephotosensor, the photosensor providing a signal in response toillumination for determining a position of the armature.
 16. Theassembly of claim 15 wherein the illuminator comprises a light source.17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the illuminator comprises a lightdeflector.
 18. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the motor comprises alinear motor.
 19. A positioning assembly for use with a providedcontroller, the controller receiving a first signal and providing asecond signal and a third signal, the positioning assembly forpositioning a provided head in operative alignment with provided mediafor detecting a recorded signal from the media, the assemblycomprising:a. a lateral effect photosensor that provides the firstsignal; and b. a motor comprising:(1) a stator in mechanicalcommunication with the photosensor; and (2) an armature for moving thehead in response to the second signal, the armature comprising anilluminator for illuminating the photosensor in response to the thirdsignal, the photosensor providing the first signal in response toillumination for determining a position of the armature.
 20. Apositioning system for head-media alignment, the system comprising:a. ahead comprising a magnetic gap, the head for detecting a recorded signalin response to a provided media when the head and the media assume analigned position; b. a linear motor comprising a stator and an armature,wherein:(1) the armature comprises the head and a light source; and (2)the motor is responsive to a motor drive signal for obtaining thealigned position; c. a lateral effect photosensor in mechanicalcommunication with the stator, the photosensor being illuminated by thelight source, the photosensor providing a position signal responsive toa distance measured between the head and the media when the head and themedia deviate from the aligned position; and d. a control circuit thatprovides the motor drive signal in response to the position signal forobtaining the aligned position.